Why yes, I do believe I just vomited...

http://newsmax.com/US/florida-aborts-wrong-fetus/2010/04/12/id/355459

Headline:  Florida Doctor Aborts Wrong Fetus in Twins

The gist:  Couple do IVF with an egg donor.  Twins conceived.  Boy Twin suspected to have Down syndrome and possible heart defect.  Girl twin not chromosomally enhanced.  Couple opt to selectively abort Boy Twin.  Doctor accidentally aborts GIRL twin.  Doctor loses license over botched abortion.  Couple aborts Boy Twin, ending pregnancy.

So, um...yeah, I do believe I just vomited.

Let me get this right...it was ok to KILL your son, but you're distraught over the KILLING of your daughter? 

Seriously, these people should not be allowed to conceive ever again!  Like another friend put it- babies are not like pizza toppings, you shouldn't go into having children with the idea you can just send it back if you got the wrong toppings.

Makes me so flippin' mad!

Awesome Observation

I haven't had Ethan's stroller in the car for months now.  Granted, he *is* too big for it anymore, but if we really need it, he can still ride in it.  But, we haven't needed it.  Why?  Because Bubs is walking SO well!!! 

What a wonderful, happy, joyous, awesome observation if I do say so myself.  ☺

Jumpin' Bean

I took Ethan over to the mall the other day so he could "jumpa jumpa".  For being Spring Break, the mall wasn't that crowded and Ethan was able to get on the bungee jumpers pretty quickly.  He always acts like he is going to freak out at first, but once he gets going he has a great time!  ☺

Curious George LIVE!

Curious George LIVE! came to Greensboro last weekend for a show.  Ethan loves the character, but doesn't watch the cartoon, but I still bought tickets anyway.  I figured it could be an early birthday present for him (his b-day is in May).  I guess since I bought so early on, I was able to get amazing seats in the 3rd row on the floor.  One of our friends from Ethan's old school, Abby, came along with us.  Abby used to give Ethan CG gifts all the time, so I thought it was pretty perfect that she was able to go with us! 

I wasn't sure how Ethan would react to the show- he's hit or miss with stuff like that.  I used to take him to Disney on Ice, but he could care less so I don't take him anymore.  But, this was different because it was a character that I knew he actually liked.

After facing a rude event employee, we made it to our seats on the floor.  I sat Ethan in his chair and he then managed to slip through the hole in the chair, falling and hitting his head/scaring him.  That basically set the tone for how he would be for the day.  :(  He refused to sit in his chair anymore, he wanted to sit on the floor.  Well, he wasn't going to see anything sitting on the floor, so I had him in my lap, and he fought me 70% of the time- even while watching the show!  Lil' Stinker Butt.  Oh well- I tried.  Overall, I think he enjoyed it.

Abby

 He took one of his many Curious George toys and decided to use it as a chew toy.

An attempt for a picture while being kicked out.  Ha.  Ethan wasn't having it.

With Abby.  I ♥ this sweet girl.

Thanks Abby for going with us!!!  ☺

Pandora

If you don't know what Pandora is, then you simply must 

go to www.pandora.com!  

Music for home or your iPod...

music, music, music!!!  ♥

Subway in Mariposa Funny

It seems that my precious little hometown of Mariposa stands divided on an issue- whether Subway can bring its business to town. There are two Facebook pages that I know of. There is the No Way! No Subway in Mariposa and the STFU, Subway Will Not Hurt Mariposa.  Yes, to Subway in 'Posa!  My personal opinion is that Subway should NOT be in Mariposa.  Part of Mariposa's charm is its historical roots and locally owned businesses.  There are plenty of fabulous food establishments (minus Burger King) that are locally owned and operated with much higher quality food (IMO) than that of a major food chain.  I don't know how Burger King was ever approved in the first place since major franchises are supposed to be "against the rules" of the town, and I am still very disturbed to this day about the demolition of the Frost Shop. 

Anywho- I was telling Scott about this dilemma going on and he starts going on about how California is broke and can't afford it.  Um...huh?  What does that have to do with Subway?  Then, the lightbulb went on.  LOL.  Yes, dear...Subway Sandwiches, NOT a SUBWAY. 

 Oh.My.Gosh.  This would REALLY put Mariposan's panties in a bunch! 

Sigur Ros - Svefn-g-englar {Sleeping Angels}

Has anyone else seen this? My sister, Kim, sent it to me this morning. I had never seen it before. I found it interesting how so many people in the Down syndrome community refer to their loved ones as an angel and that is exactly how they are portrayed in this video.

Svefn-g-englar

{Lyrics in Icelandic}

ég er kominn aftur
inn í þig
það er svo gott að vera hér
en stoppa stutt við
ég flýt um í neðarsjávar hýði
á hóteli
beintengdur við rafmagnstöfluna
og nærist
tjú tjú
en biðin gerir mig leiðan
brot hættan sparka frá mér
og kall á - verð að fara - hjálp
ég spring út og friðurinn í loft upp
baðaður nýju ljósi
ég græt og ég græt - aftengdur
ónýttur heili settur á brjóst
og mataður af svefn-g-englum

English Translation 

 http://translation.conveythis.com/Icelandic/

I come back into you it is so good to be here, but stop short of I move about in the below sea hýði the hotel connected directly to the electric table and feeds tjú tjú but Biðin makes me break producing risk kick me and call on - have to go - Help, I spring out and peace in the air I baðaður new light green and my gadgets - unlinked untapped brain placed on the chest and mataður of sleep-g-angels

Beautiful Montage for 3-21

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Beautiful babies.  Thank you, Rebecca!

3 - 21 World Down Syndrome Day

3-21.  Three copies of the 21st chromosome.  Down Syndrome.

Today, we celebrate the lives of those with Down syndrome all around the world.  The world.

Our handsome son, Ethan, was born into a world that frowns upon Down syndrome and other birth defects.  Our son has changed the thinking of many people.  Through his courage, tenacity, stubbornness, persistence, determination, and successes- he has shown that Down syndrome will not define him and that having Down syndrome is ok.  It is not the death sentence that others may make it out to be.  It is O.K.  I am more than ok with Down syndrome because that little 8, almost 9, year old precious boy of ours has taught me so much about myself that I probably wouldn't have known without him. 

As Ethan's parents, Scott and I are blessed and honored that God chose us with the privilege of raising him.

Uppercase Living®

Close to two years ago, I became an Independent Demonstrator for Uppercase Living®.  I didn't really push to be a crazy active demonstrator, but I was doing an Open House a month.  Then, things just tapered off and I was dropped as a demonstrator.  A month or so ago, I decided that I wanted to be a demonstrator again.  I have not taken the time to actually market myself and this wonderful product, so that is what I am going to do now.  :)

For those that don't know what Uppercase Living® is, it is a company that makes vinyl expressions where you can make your space a reflection of the unique individual you are. Whether you identify with a deeply motivational thought, a beautiful embellishment, a bold image, or a combination of these, Uppercase Living® expressions let you be who you are and let you express that uniqueness in your surroundings. This is the art of self expression.

Currently, Uppercase Living® has a Buy TWO Get One FREE promotion going on.  Everyone that I know that has Uppercase Living in their homes LOVES the product.  Please visit my website at http://kris10z.uppercaseliving.net  and browse the catalog.  You can host a catalog Open House and earn free product, host an Open House in your home, or order directly from my site.  Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions and please feel free to repost.  :)

Thank you!

Happy Birthday, Drew!

Today is my baby sister's birthday.  I am not sure how long I will get away with referring to her as my baby sister since she is now 24, LOL. 

Dearest Drew,

I remember when Mommy was pregnant with you and I remember waking up the day you were born and Kim telling me that Mommy went to the hospital to have the baby.  I remember being so excited to get you home!  Apparently, you were the subject of many "Show & Tell's".  Alanna will tell the story about how she remembers me getting up to share that you lost your umbilical cord and how that seemed like a really big word for a 4th grader.  :)

I love you, sista!  I am so proud of you and I miss you so very much!  Please come visit again...we will party like rock stars!  :)

I hope that you have had the most amazing birthday yet!     xoxoxoxoxoxo

Another ER visit

Gross.  I agree.  It's a bad picture, but that is black/tar-ish/coffee ground-ish blood from Ethan's nose.  It came out of nowhere.  I called the doctor and the nurse had never heard of such a thing in her 30+ years as a RN.  Great.  She suggests taking him into the ER just to be checked out.

We had Delaney's birthday party to go to and he was acting fine, so I showed friends the q-tips (yes, I had them in a ziplock for when if/when I went to the ER).  Everyone agreed with me that I should just take him in to be checked out.  I mean, having black blood sitting in your nose can't be good, right?  My main concern was if something was going on internally and he was refluxing up through his nose.  I had to take him in.

What ended up being the fastest trip to the ER in the history of all hospital visits, the doctor simply says that he had a nosebleed and gave us our discharge papers about nosebleeds.  I am not totally buying this idea, but whatever...

This morning, Ethan has a nose full of dried black blood again.  I called his ENT at home and left a message.  I also plan to take him in tomorrow.  It's so weird.

Ideas are welcome.

Why not switch schools?

Seems like the obvious choice, right?  Not so easy.

1)  We *love* Ethan's teacher.  If it weren't for her, we'd be gone.  Where?  No clue.  Homeschool maybe.  I just don't know.

2)  Our placement now is the only severe & profound class within a typical elementary setting with age-appropriate peers.  The other two options, while good schools, are completely segregated- not really what is in Ethan's best interest.  And, in this day and age, that shouldn't be how it is anymore! 

We are in a no-win situation.  The higher administration of our school district are not on our side.  They are the ones making these ridiculously crappy decisions.  I am thinking of ambushing the next school board meeting...

*Screaming, Screaming, Screaming*

I just updated my Facebook status.  It says:  Kristen Faulkner is frustrated.  Yeah, that's an understatement.  My FB status the other day said:  Kristen Faulkner hates, hates, hates E's school.  Yeah, that's also an understatement.

School:  If you are just joining the class, I will catch you up quickly.  We moved her from CA for a 5-star developmental day school.  Ethan aged out and graduated.  Ethan was then placed in a severe & profound self-contained classroom withing a typical elementary school.  I was anxious and nervous about the placement but ended up being extremely happy with my decision for him to go there.  Our school district decided to transfer the classroom from AWESOME school A to POS school B.  Why?  Their reasons still make no sense whatsoever. 

So, we are moved to POS school B.  It takes a half hour to even get there from our house.  POS school B has a history of drugs and weapons.  True story.  Last year, cocaine and marijuana were found in the hall and a kid brought a handgun to school.  This year, 2nd Graders- yes 2nd graders, brought knives and threatened to kill another kid because he was Mexican vs. being Hispanic.  There are gangs present.  So yeah, someone please tell me WHY THE FRENCH the powers that be in our school district thought it was a good idea to take kids who are non-verbal, in wheelchairs, mouth everything, and otherwise can't defend themselves from AWESOME school A with NO history of drugs or violence to a POS school B where they are at risk of finding drugs and ingesting them?  Or, how about a little gang initiation?  Sounds like and easy hit to me- the kids who can't defend themselves.  FRUSTRATION.

Then, the administration just needs to be bopped across the head.  Maybe then, they might actually get a clue.  They have no idea what people-first language is.  They use the "R" word like crazy.  I helped Mary make a Disability Awareness Board and I even secured a speaker to come and talk to the kids about disabilities.  The principal was going to say no to having the speaker come and then she agreed to having him come and talk for five minutes.  FIVE FREAKING MINUTES!?!?!?  FRUSTRATION.

The assistant principal is in the classroom yesterday morning and she argued with our assistant teacher and Mary over how things should be done for our kids.  Ummmmm, who has the degree in Special Education???  Riiiight.  She proceeds to talk to all the children like babies and like they don't understand anything.  Then she saw Ethan's modeled looking skin and says, "What's that rash on his arms?" (mind you, I am standing RIGHT THERE).  We all ask what she is talking about.  She repeats her question and adds, "Why does his skin look like that?".  "Who?"  Mary asks.  She then points and says, "That one".  Oh.My.Freaking.Gosh.  THAT ONE?!?!?!?  Um, That One has a name.  I seriously had to bite my tongue.  That WILL be addressed.  FRUSTRATION.

So there you have my HATE, HATE, HATE for E's school. 

***********************************************

Feeding Issues:  Ethan's feeding issues continue to get worse.  Scott, Mary, and I are all at a loss at what to do.  Insurance continues to deny to send Ethan to CHOP all while he continues to get worse.  Throwing food, mouthing everything, not chewing, choking hazards...FRUSTRATION.

Calgon anyone???

Zhora and an iPod Touch

Grab This Button
The button will take you to a fundraiser that Renee just hosted for our friend, Lisa, who wants so badly for Zhora to have a family go scoop him up and bring him home.  The fundraiser was to add more funds to Zhora's grant fund at Reece's Rainbow and also enter a drawing to win an iPod Touch.  You can see Kennedy pick the winner in the video (SO cute!!!):

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I have a huge smile on my face.  I love that close to $700 was raised for Zhora!  I love seeing the Garcia babes!  And, I love winning.  :)  Oh, and Kennedy...I did the same happy dance you did!!!

D-LISH!

There are a couple Food Network shows that I *love* to watch and get ideas.  One of which is Barefoot Contessa.  Scott doesn't like her very much because she is kind of snobby, but I would love, love, love to eat one of her meals AT her house in the Hamptons...HA.  It all looks so yummy, but yes- she is snobby.  You have to use GOOD vanilla, or GOOD olive oil, homemade chicken stock...blah, blah, blah.  Anywho, there was an episode that I just loved everything and I knew that I could make it all:  Individual Meat Loaves, Brussel Sprouts Lardon, and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes.  I opted to make my mashed potatoes like I always do because they are just plain yummy.

My mom makes a really good meatloaf, but I have always been nervous to make my own.  Why?  Who knows.  Probably the same reason that keeps me from making real chili or beans in the crock pot. 

Anywho, this has to be one of the best dinners I have ever made!  Seriously.  We ate leftovers for lunch and I think it was even better today!  Yum, yum, yum...D-LISH.

In a nutshell...

We were all sick, as previously posted.  Breathing capacity was taken down to nothing for me.  I am going to have to totally rebuild my endurance with C25K, which makes me sad, but I am feeling much better than last week!

So, things have gone like this:

Sick family, Spread the Word to End the Word link turned into quite the verbal attack on my Facebook, Shep had his stitches out, Shep had heartworm treatment, which required a two-day hospital stay, Shep's home but can't have ANY activity for a month...I think he may need doggie Prozac soon, Scott had heart attack symptoms at church and was sent via ambulance to the hospital for an overnight stay.  Ethan had his urology follow-up with Dr. Wiener at Duke- had a renal ultrasound which was horrible, like wrestling a marlin.  Good news is that his kidneys and bladder are doing well!  YAY!  Bad news is that until Ethan can verbally tell us what he is feeling in order to go to the bathroom, we won't know if the tethered cord caused permanent damage.  Ethan will need a renal u/s annually for several years. 

Yes, I snuck in that part about Scott.  He doesn't really want a big fuss made about it.  He is FINE.  His heart is fine.  Chances are that he had a panic attack that mimicked a heart attack.  Still, no fun and very scary for all of us.  We are very thankful to our friends at church who stepped up to watch Ethan until Mary could get there to pick him up.  And, of course, to Mary for keeping Ethan while I was at the hospital with Scott.  We are very happy to know that all EKG results and coronary CT results were fine...no abnormalities or blockages of any kind.

Fun week!  That's a BIG nutshell!  LOL!

Sinus Infections from Cold After a Day Suck...

Just sayin'....again.

Colds suck.

 Just sayin'.

Love Offering

I am collecting for a Love Offering for a friend in need right now.  For privacy reasons, I can't post about the family here, but I would be happy to give full information privately.  Please e-mail me at faulknerkd@gmail.com.  Please consider a donation, even a dollar and tell your friends.

{Chip In Widget Above}

Shep: Good/Bad News

The vet called me yesterday.  She says, "I have good news, and I have bad news".  *sigh*  "OK".

GOOD NEWS:  The tumor removed from the neck is free and clear.  All cancer cells removed.  Yay!

BAD NEWS:  The tumor removed from the belly is NOT free and clear.  There are still cancer cells in the surrounding tissues.  And, it will continue to spread.  There is no other surgery to do- the vet took as much tissue possible.  If she would have taken any more, she wouldn't have been able to close him up.  The only other option would be radiation and we are not going to do that.  It is a good thing that she took the tumor out though.  If she hadn't, he ran a really high risk of having a ruptured tumor and then having a bleeding issue internally which would equal having to put him down.  Boo!

So, our cancer-free happy dance was short-lived.  He still has it and he has heartworm.  Now, the question is whether to proceed with the heartworm treatment or not.  Our vet is posting Shep's scenario on a Vet Board where over 20,000 vets come for help/opinions of other veterinarian professionals.  She is not one to do anything to a dog that  is not in his best interest and I certainly appreciate that.  I should hear back from her next week on that.

Overall, Shep is doing really well!  He is not messing with his incisions at all.  Of course, we don't think that he can really reach them anyway.  Shep has been hanging out with Scott during the day that way he feels back to normal and Scott can keep an eye on him.  Thank you to everyone who has voiced their concern for our Shep!

Shep's Surgery

Scott and I took Shep in this morning at 8am for his scheduled surgery to remove the mast cell tumor from his neck.  It was hard to leave him, but we knew that he was in good hands.  I started to cry on the way to school and Ethan kind of grunted at me like he was telling me it would be ok.  

I was told that a heartworm test would have to be done pre-op, so we expected that.  What we didn't expect was for him to actually have heartworm.  :(  I then had to wait for the doctor to decide what to do.  This required a chest x-ray to make sure that his heart wasn't too enlarged to risk surgery.  The radiologist also said that there was not any sign of metastasized cancer...YAY!!!  I got the call around 11:45 that everything looked ok and that they were starting surgery.

Close to two hours later, I got the call that Shep was out of surgery and doing well.  I didn't expect it to take that long to hear from them, but they said that he did well and they were considering keeping him overnight.  

On the way home, I stopped in to the vet's to check on Shep.  He was just waking up and looking good!  The doctor came out and said that she had a confession.  ???  She says that she decided to remove the tumor from his belly too!  ...FOR FREE!!!  So, now I can semi-officially say that Shep is CANCER FREE!!!  {pending pathology reports}  

Thanks to everyone who said a wonderful puppy prayer for Shep today!  We appreciate it!  I was able to bring Shep home and he ate some.  He is having a hard time figuring out how he can lay down without laying on his belly.  :(  I am anxiously waiting for Scott to get home so he can help with Shep since Shep has always listened to Scott better anyway- that's what happens when they went to work together every day for close to 10 years! 

Neck incision

Underbelly incision

Poor puppy just wants to lay down but can't quite figure it out with a big slice on his belly.  :*(

The incisions are even bigger than I anticipated, but he is cancer-free, so it's ALL GOOD!!!  :)

Marriage Tune-Up

 

Last night and this morning, Scott and I joined hundreds of other couples for a Marriage Tune-Up conference/seminar.  It was put on by Jeff & Debby McElroy.  We were able to attend thanks to our friends, Janet & Jeff Pemberton, who invited us as their "guests", otherwise we wouldn't have been able to afford to go.

Some topics discussed:  Conflict Resolution, Intimacy, Spiritual Leadership

The speakers were awesome!  They were so funny and used great stereotypical examples to get their point across.  We feel very fortunate to have been able to go!

Instead of thinking about how 6 years ago today, Ethan was being diagnosed with leukemia, Scott and I were able to sit in a church, holding hands, learning new skills to better our marriage.  How awesome is that?  :)

Shep News

Wednesday night, Scott asked me if I had time to take Shep to the vet on Thursday.  I told him I would make time and then wanted to know what was wrong. Scott proceeds to tell me that Shep has a lump on his neck that is bothering him and he has been itching it.  I made sure that he showed me where it was so I knew what to show the vet.  It was a big red bump.  I was pretty sure it was a spider/bug bite.

Thursday morning, our vet got us in at 11am.  Shep was weighed, up three pounds to 79.6!  Aye, aye, aye...

Doctor came in, looked at the bump, squeezed it a little and some pus came out so she was pretty much guessing it was a bite like I was.  She took Shep into the back where she could lance and drain it.  When she came back in the room, she says that there wasn't as much pus as she thought there was going to be and she was going to look at it under the microscope.  When she came back in, she had a look of worry and began her sentence with, "Now, I am not a pathologist but..." {you know that is ALWAYS a good sign when pathology is mentioned- not}.

"It's a tumor".

"Um, WHAT!?!?!  {with look of shock}"

"Yeah, and this one worries me.  It's different than his other tumor in his chest that we are watching".

So, um- yeah.  For the second time in the month of February, I sat alone in a doctor's office and was told one of my babies had more cancer.  {Ethan was diagnosed with leukemia February 13, 2004}  This one is worrisome, too.  It is a mast cell tumor and because of the location and rapid increasing size, it needs to be removed in order to ensure that it doesn't metastasize.  The vet was ok just watching the other tumor Shep has because it is a soft-tissue sarcoma with less risk of spreading quickly, whereas this one is already proving to be on the rapid track.

Shep will be going in for surgery first thing Monday morning to remove the tumor.  He should be able to come home that afternoon, but will have one heck of an incision.  So far, he has been taking his meds well, so the irritation and infection around the tumor is definitely better.  Poor puppy has to take two antibiotics and three Benadryl's twice a day, and a pain pill once a day.

Praying that everything will go smoothly on Monday!  Shep still has so much life in him- we have to give him this chance, we just have to.

In Remembrance: Livvie

Still missed as much today as two years ago.

(Video in post for those on reader)

Birthday's...

I haven't been around the computer to be able to post two very special birthday's that were on February 5th.  Soooo....

~♥~

 ♫Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Jeff,

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!♫  I'm so sorry you're old...ha.  

~♥~

♫Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Olivia, 

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!♫

~♥~

Two people who will always mean the world to me:  My Dad and Olivia. I wasn't able to talk with my Dad, but I did get a text in to him mid-morning- didn't want to wake him up and make him a Grumpy Old Man.  HA!

I was able to spend the evening with Karen and celebrate what would have been Olivia's 10th birthday.  I wore Olivia's Cinderella tiara and picked up her birthday cake as usual (even though it looked like the cake we normally get, it did not TASTE like it- BOO).  This year has been harder than last year...please pray for Karen as this time of year is an overwhelmingly reminder of the most  painful and heartbreaking moment in her life.  ~THANK YOU~

Just one of the kids

I am about to do something that I said I would never do in blogland.  I am going to post the same picture more than once in one post.  I never understood why that was done, I mean- I saw the picture the first time.  LOL.

So, it snowed on Friday/Saturday and Scott made a snow run off the back deck.  Our neighbors came over with their girls to sled.  The kids were having a lot of fun making the Mommy's and Daddy's cater to their fun.  The kids would take turns going one by one, but then we started having them go tandem.  Ethan went with Rachel and they both had the biggest smiles afterward.



So, why did I tear up tonight when I mentioned it at small group?  Because we don't have play dates.  It's just complicated...anywho.  Our neighbors kids don't see that Ethan is different at all.  I think that they may have asked a question like "Why doesn't Ethan talk?", but it has never been an issue.  We give them an answer and they say "oh" and go about playing.  If anything, they think that Ethan is pretty cool because he has a swing in his living room and a trampoline!  :)  When they play, they tend to play in their own corners so to speak- not necessarily together.  Sunday, they played together.



They played together.  They smiled together.  They laughed together.  They had fun together.  And so it was captured- he was just one of the kids.

Urban Dictionary

All around Facebook, people are posting their Urban Dictionary definitions of their name.  I have decided to just do a blog post.  LOL.  So, whenever I need to make myself feel awesome, I can just come back to this post.

Urban Dictionary - Kristen

Slang for "most awesome girl ever"

usually extremely beautiful. can surprise you at what she can do. very outgoing. can be emotional at times, but mostly just wants to party!


Very hott girl that you won't seem to every forget about,amazing personality and great figure. {damn skippy!}

amazing


An amazing person, not likely to ever leave your thoughts, always to the be te only one on your mind . Incredibly beautiful, nice, smart, caring, and all-around great . Her eyes gleem with a radiance of a thousand stars, her lips draw you in, like magnets, her love is like life, without it, you surely cannot live.


being of extreme beauty, class, and creativity.

also happens to be pretty rad.

1. E-karma's Queen.
2. Extremely nice person.
3. Awesome

The girl who makes you want to be a better man. Shes incredibly smart, funny, and stunningly beautiful. You are often thankful for every second that she is a part of your life and lament the times that you arent talking to her because with her every second is like being in heaven.Often a girl with spunk that other girls fear.Hates drama usually and normally doesnt do well with guys who cheat.Loves to go out an party. Never doubt her cause shes always changing and you dont ever truely know what shes thinking.

Ok, you can stop laughing now....

Reposting: The R Word

My friend, Michele, posted the link to the following article on Facebook and I have to say that the author's opinions are pretty much to exactly my feelings. I find myself telling people how offensive the 'r' word is to me, but I also find myself not wanting to offend the offender. ?!?!?! I try to be the best advocate I can for Ethan and for those with special needs, but sometimes my words are not as on point as Ms. Liane Kupferber Carter. Please read.

The R Word
by:  Liane Kupferberg Carter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liane-kupferberg-carter/the-r-word_b_443627.html

We were trying on hats at a department store counter when my childhood friend said it.


"I never know how to wear these," she said. "I'm such a fashion retard."


I was shocked. I said, "We don't use that word."


She turned red. "You're right. I am so sorry," she said.


And she was. Truly embarrassed. Not only because she is a kind person, but because I am the parent of a child with autism.


The thing is, she is about the last person I ever expected to hear it from. She is one of the smartest people I know, and I'm not talking about her Ivy League education. She's an active community volunteer. She works in soup kitchens and bakes her own bread. She's passionate about social justice, someone who thinks long and deeply about everything. She treats my son with unfailing compassion and respect, and has taught her two children to do the same.


So to hear the R word slip so automatically from her lips was as shocking as if she had taken off her clothes and danced naked in Times Square.


Recently my mother-in-law forwarded a joke that had obviously been making the rounds among her friends. It was a silly story about children who mistake words they hear, not worth repeating here. But the subject line of the email was "retarded grandparents." I took a deep breath. Then I clicked on "reply all" and wrote this message:


"For years I've received jokes like this and kept quiet, but one of my New Year's resolutions this year is to speak up, so here goes. As the parent of a developmentally disabled child, I find the use of the word "retarded" personally offensive. So-called jokes like these reinforce the discrimination and intolerance children like mine face daily. 'Retarded' is not a synonym for 'stupid.' It's time to retire the 'R' word from everyone's vocabulary."


My mother-in-law emailed back, "Actually I didn't even notice the title of the joke. But you are right about this."


Well yes, that's my point. No one notices. Not even the people who know and love my son. That's how ingrained that word is in our culture. It's a knee jerk reflex in people's vocabularies. No one else replied to my email. I imagine that many of her friends who received it probably felt sorry that my mother-in-law has a humorless prig for a daughter in law. And it's true. I am humorless when it comes to this.


People use the R word as an all purpose put down. It's hateful trash talk, the ultimate playground zinger. The Special Olympics has been campaigning aggressively against the word since the film Tropic Thunder, which introduced the term "Full Retard" to the cultural conversation, was released last year. Even President Obama has been guilty. Not of using the R word, but of viewing those with disabilities as something to joke about, when he told Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" that his poor bowling performance was like "Special Olympics or something." (Obama later apologized for his remark.) Or Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman, during interviews on both CNN and "Charlie Rose", who repeatedly said that our involvement in Afghanistan "is like adopting a special needs baby." Just last week, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was quoted using the phrase "f--ing retarded," in the Wall Street Journal.


I am not the first to write about this, and I won't be the last, either. I'm not trying to be the word police. And I know that if we banish this word from everyone's vocabulary, something equally noxious will probably take its place. But the malice behind this word is palpable and ugly and heart constricting. Do you think kids with intellectual disabilities don't know they are being put down when someone calls them that word? That they don't feel the insult and disdain?


The R word has been retired by medical and social service organizations. It's time everyone else does too. This isn't about political correctness. I am asking for no less than a basic cultural shift. People need to understand that the R word is as offensive to persons with intellectual disabilities as the N word is to the African American community. The old saw "sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me" is patently untrue. Words do wound.

Winter Storm 2010

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The last time it snowed, I looked into getting Ethan some snow bibs/boots so he could stay out longer, but since accumulated snow is not the norm around here, we figured that we had our snowfall for the year. Well- it snowed this past Friday. The approximate amount was around 8 inches and we still don't have any bibs/boots for Ethan. :(

We put a dozen layers on him and headed out. Scott spent the morning turning the back deck into the launching pad for a snow run. Our neighbors came over with their sled and we all had some sledding fun! We found that Ethan did much better going down the ramp backwards because he bends his body in half and just enjoys the ride.

After naps, I went and picked up Mary to come back and sled again. So, Ethan had a full day of sledding fun. The weather peeps are calling for a possible wintry mix again this weekend and we still have icy roads. School is canceled again tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if school is out until at least Thursday because the residential places are still pretty icy for the buses to run through. Looks like no Spring Break for the kiddos with the way things are going...

{For those on a reader...there is a video at the top}

Special Family

God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with Down syndrome doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family.

 {Stolen from numerous Facebook statuses, HA.}

Lost Generation

My sister posted this on her Facebook and I just, finally, got around to being able to watch it.  It's a pretty awesome message.  Enjoy.

Good news, bad news

I let Mary take my camera back to Africa a few weeks ago.  The only memory card that Wal-Mart had was an 8GB card and I thought that would be great so she could take many, many pictures and also get video of the kids at Challenge Farm for me.  I had no idea that this nice new card would be causing issues for me today.

Yesterday, after school, Ethan did something so wonderful that I ran over and got my camera off of Mary's desk.  I was hoping and praying for a repeat of what he did. 

Good News:  He did it again and I got it on video!
Bad News:  The video card is not compatible with my computer because it is a new high capacity card!  :(

So, I will have to get a USB thingamabob in order to get the video off of my camera!

Ok, so Ethan climbed out of a mini-cage I had him in at school.  It is typically the perimeter to the ball pit and I put him in there to keep from throwing the balls everywhere while Mary and I had a meeting about re-eval and he had his game plan and climbed out!  This may not seem like a big deal to many, but I cried.  Seriously, whenever he does new things, I cry- ESPECIALLY when I can see his wheels turning on HOW to do something.  When I can see his thought process work, it's amazing!

I also got video of him laughing up a storm while playing with feet totally creepy, I know, but that is going to also have to wait, too.  Man, I am so disappointed!

This Mama is so proud of her boy!

Reposting: A plea for Haiti. And my pact.

Bethany is at it again...finding a way to help out others.  Leave a comment on her blog here and she will donate back to Haiti.  You must leave the comment on Bethany's blog in order for her to send the $$$.

The devastation from the earthquake in Haiti is extreme.

140,000 people were killed.

1,000,000 people are homeless.

I have been reading the blog of a doctor from Minnesota that is in Haiti providing medical care for the injured. She and her medical team are in immediate need of the following:

Emergency medicine/trauma surgery PA (or similar skill set)
Orthopedic PA (or similar skill set)
Physical Therapist

If you know someone that may be qualified, please pass this information on to them immediately. They are looking to have these people flown into Haiti in two days from now.
Click here or here or here to read about their relief efforts.

I promise you will be inspired.

Or click here to see pictures taken by a Minnesota family that is currently living and serving in Haiti.

Amazing.

Or click here to read about the efforts of New Kids on the Block, the Wheelchair Foundation and others to send a plane to Haiti. Yes ... I ♥ NKOTB.

****************

I have seen a few bloggers make a pact with their readers to donate a certain amount of money for every comment left on their blogs. Wow ... I'm inspired.

I want to do it. It seems so much bigger than little, old me ... but whatever, even a handful of comments are better than nothing.

Right?

My pact --->

I will donate 25 cents for every comment left on this post between now and Friday, January 29, 2010, at 12:00 noon EST.

*ahem* Lurkers -- show your face please! *muah*

Spread the word ... Haiti needs our help!

Spread the Word to END the Word!

 I challenge you to take the pledge- pledge to eliminate retard(ed) from your vocabulary. It is a very hurtful word used by society and, most importantly, it is hurtful towards my son and so many other persons with intellectual disabilities around the world. Eliminating the word and ENDING its use is the right thing to do and it is the respectful thing to do.

Mary's Return

Two weeks ago, tomorrow, Ethan's favorite teacher and my dear friend embarked on her 11-day journey to Kitale, Kenya, Africa.  Yes, Mary went to Challenge Farm without me, but I am so NOT bitter...nope, not at all!.  We were all so excited for her adventure and for what God had in store for her, but eleven days is a long time for Bubs to be away from Mary.  So, we made it a point to go to the airport to greet her back HOME!  Ethan got Mary some "Welcome Back" balloons and waited patiently for her flight to come in.   

*Special Thanks to Evan for not showing up to work for his scheduled flight attendant duties for the final flight from DC to Greensboro.  You're awesome because we LOVE waiting another hour and a half to see our loved one after they have been to the other side of the world!  Anywho...*

Ethan playing with his Daddy's Mtn. Dew.  Good thing, he likes them flat.

Waiting patiently

REUNITED, and it feels so good! 

We literally had to hold Ethan back or else he would have been apprehended by TSA!  Hahaha.  It really was a sweet reunion. 

 

Ok, ignore the fact that Mary's eyes are closed.  It's a really precious shot of how happy Ethan was that she was home!  Wait...who is that crazy looking dude behind them and why in the heck does his head look like an ice cream cone?!?!?!?!?

WELCOME HOME MARY!  WE MISSED YOU! 

Thank You Card Etiquette

I recently sent off a bunch of pre-printed thank you cards that I had printed from Shutterfly.  It came to me today that some people may think that the thank you was impersonal because it was pre-printed.  Since I have lived in the South, I have noticed that people around here take their thank you card's seriously!  If you went to a wedding and brought a gift, you better be seeing that thank you card in the mail the week after the honeymoon, or else you are an ungrateful receiver!  I have always had good intentions about sending thank you card's, but they usually end up on the dining table- some even addressed and only needing a stamp!

I was NOT going to let everyone who contributed to our Christmas go without a thank you of some kind.  I put pictures of Ethan on Christmas Day on the front and inside, along with a personal note.  The personal note is what was printed from the company.  This is what I fear people will feel is impersonal because it wasn't handwritten.  I hope this isn't the case, but it was on my mind because I don't talk about my RA {rheumatoid arthritis} much.  Anywho, I cannot handwrite anything- without pain- beyond a post-it note.  I wish that I could personally write out every note, but my hands simply won't let me.  And, that's why I have to count on the wonderful new technology of pre-printed thank you notes.

C25K...W3D1

I almost psyched myself out to do this run tonight.  I, typically, run in the morning after I take Ethan to school, but I just couldn't get my act together today to do it.  Sooo, I came *this close* to calling it a day.  I really want to stick with my Monday, Wednesday, Friday routine- it's easy for me, it gives me my weekends, and it works with my schedule.  If I didn't run today, I was messing up my whole routine.  So, a little after 9pm tonight, I set out to complete Week 3 Day 1 with my trusty new iPod Shuffle and downloaded Hip Hop Podcast hooked to my ears.

This week's run consists of a 5 minute walk warm-up, 90 second run, 90 second walk, 3 minute run, 3 minute walk, REPEAT, and 5 minute cool down.  The whole idea of running for double what I had been had me a LOT anxious, but I did it!  I ran in my neighborhood and did so much better than I ever thought that I could!  My mileage was a little over a mile and a half, which is less than the previous two weeks.  I haven't figured out why that is- maybe because the time was less?  Too tired to figure it out right now.  LOL.

Pat me on the back because this is something that I never thought I would do or could do for that matter, and I am doing it!  Thanks to everyone for the encouragement!  *muah*

Poor Eating...again

Ethan's eating sucks lately.  We don't know if it's because Mary's been gone or what, but Ethan does not want to eat anything at home unless it is oatmeal or applesauce.  We always puree him food that we are eating and he loves it.  One of his favorite meals is Mexican, but refused he that too.  I tell you, if it were not for the fact that he drinks 3-4 Nutren Junior's a day, he would become frail again...FAST. 

What is so confusing is that school tells us that he eats great at school!  What the French is that about?  This is when having a child who is non-verbal really blows.

Wanting Comfort

As a Mommy, what is your first reaction when your child hurts themselves and gets an owie?  Mine is to try and comfort/kiss the owie and make it better...you know, the whole "Let Mommy kiss it and make it better" approach?  Yeah, well- I try that and Ethan rejects it.  What gives?  He looks at me like he wants me to make it better but then he won't let me touch or see the boo boo.  It's kind of heartbreaking.  I always jump to his aid when he slips and I can tell that something hurts, but he always pushes me away.  Is it so much to ask for a Mama to be able to make her baby feel better?  I just know that when Ethan shows pain, it REALLY hurts because his pain tolerance is so high.  I hate to not try and comfort him since he just rejects it, but sometimes this Mama is a little sensitive and would just really love it if she felt needed.

Farmville Rap

I get FarmVille app requests on Facebook all the time and every single request gets ignored {nuttin' personal}.  I guess virtual farming brings much joy to many people, including my Mom, but I simply don't have the time to get involved with it, and I am certainly not going to be updating my status to have someone else water my crops.  It's just not for me.  This morning, I heard a Farmville rap and laughed so hard.  I found the video on YouTube for everyone's mutual enjoyment.  :)

The Search for Significance

I am going to plagiarize Rebecca W. Johnston, who plagiarized and paraphrased from Robert S. McGee for the benefit of our local M.O.M.S. group that meets on Thursday mornings.  I have actually been thinking about how to write about this topic since leaving church on Thursday.  It is probably simply for my benefit, but if you can make it through, you will probably not be sorry.

The three purposes of the study are:

1. Identify and understand the nature of man's search for significance
2. Recognize and challenge inadequate answers
3. Apply God's solutions to your search for significance

From life's outset, we find ourselves on the prowl, searching to satisfy some inner, unexplained yearning.  Our hunger causes us to search for people who will love us.  Our desire for acceptance pressures us to perform to gain praise from others.  We strive for success, driving our minds and bodies harder and further, hoping that because of our sweat and sacrifice others will appreciate us more.  ...  Despite our efforts, we will never find lasting and fulfilling peace if we must continually prove ourselves to others.

Unfortunately, many of us have been exposed to inadequate teaching from both religious and secular sources concerning our self-worth.

Whether labeled self-esteem or self-worth, the feeling of significance is crucial to man's emotional, spiritual, and social stability and is the driving element within the human spirit.

People want to know and be known, love and be loved, celebrate and be celebrated, serve and be served.

Since the Fall, man has often failed to turn to God for the truth about himself.  Instead, he hs looked to others to meet his enescapable need for self-worth.  I am what others say I am...  I will find value in their opinions of me.  Isn't it amazing that we turn to others who have a perspective as limited and darkened as our own to discover our worth!  Rather than relying on God's steady, uplifting reassurance of who we are, we depend on others who base our worth on our ability to meet their standards.  ...  Our true value is based not on our behavior or the approval of others but on what God's word says is true about us.

Self-worth =  Performance + other's opinions  (Satan's Lie!)

Self-worth =  God's TRUTH about you!

Understand that our worth has freely and conclusively been given to us by God.  Failure and/or the disapproval of others cannot take that away!

*****     *****     *****     *****     *****     *****

I think that the majority of people have some sort of "baggage" from childhood.  Some baggage may seem insignificant to others and some may seem more obvious.  This last week's topic really got me thinking about how far back my search for significance goes.  And, it goes back to my childhood.  Let me disclaim that I know that my parents love me and I love them more than I can tell them, but I know my search for significance runs deep.  I think I will try to bullet a summary otherwise we would be here all day and I know that Linda doesn't like that. ;)

• My older sister, Kim, was always the "pretty" one.  She was the small town kids pageant runner-up.  Me?  I was anti-social on stage- or so they tell me.  {I did have a very pretty dress though} 
• Mine and Kim's biological father was killed when Kim was 8, I was 3.  My dad, Jeff, came into our lives when I was 4.  He has raised me ever since.  Kim remembered our father, whereas I have maybe three memories and I don't even know if those are real.  I called Jeff "Daddy" one night before bed and Kim grabbed my arm and proceeded to tell me that I was NOT to call him Daddy because he was NOT our Daddy.  I have called Jeff, Jeff ever since.  Kim had the "Daddy's Girl" experience, I did not.
• I used to be told that I had fat legs by a close family member.  I am not sure if that was to try and encourage me to go ride my bike or what, but it stuck with me forever.  What I would give to have those "fat" legs again!
• My mom used to tell me that I didn't have any true friends as a child, that they were using me or that I always had to go to them.  I think this is one of the most significant for me today.  I am very loyal to my friends, but my challenge is to reach out to others now within church or beyond.  I want, even need, for new friends to come to me.  I need to feel wanted.  I need to feel like my friendship is wanted on the other side and that I am important enough to seek out friendship with.  I don't ever want to be that child again following like a puppy who just wants to play. 

So, we have insecurity from looks, love, and acceptance.  My love language is Words of Affirmation because I need to be given a compliment in order to feel loved and pretty. I had a friend ask me once if I loved myself because they noticed that I put myself down a lot. I do it without even knowing it, but I think it started when I was younger in order to hear a compliment in return. I know that I am a good person, I know that I am a good friend, I know that I am a good Mother, and I know that God loves me, but those some of my "demons". I will work on concentrating more on God's promises for me, versus my search for significance with others. 

C25K Update

I caught up on my Week One training and started with Week Two today.  All of last week, my training was done in the house or on a treadmill.  The house training was interesting since I really just ran around my house, which was silly and probably not doing me any good, but I was just trying to keep going.  I did Wii Fit Plus training on most days, which is a lot of fun.  It brings out the competitor in all of us.  When I was on the treadmill, I ran between 4.7 and 5.0 without an incline and walked at 3.0.  I think the average distance was close to a mile and a half.

Today, I went to a link that Bethany had provided- Map My Run, and discovered that a local park right near my house has the perfect path set up for 5k training!  So, while I was nervous to be running outside, I am so glad that I did it!  The scenery is much prettier, and I found that I could eye a landmark for each segment of training.  When I was on the treadmill, I found myself watching the clock tick by and it seemed to go by so sllooooow.  The path I was on at the park circled this tiny little pond.  There are a couple of little hills, but nothing major.  I monitored my intervals with the stopwatch option on my phone and just hit "lap" for each segment that way I had a running tally of time for the total 20 minutes.  I also used my phone for music, but don't have headphones, so I am really looking forward to having the iPod Shuffle!  I think that I made it around the pond about seven times, and there were not any other people there really.  That's good for me since I am sure that I look like a fool.  Maybe I should just run like Phoebe...

NOT MRSA! :)

Scott took Ethan in for his second follow-up for the infection in E's thumb and the infection was not MRSA!  YAY!  It tested positive for strep.  I don't know the specifics, just that it was strep and not MRSA.  :)  The thumb looks SO much better and we took off the bandaging last night, so Ethan is much happier to have the use of both of his hands again.  The doctor is switching the antibiotic over to amoxicillan, which Ethan loves so we shouldn't have such a hard time getting the meds in him anymore. 

Thanks to all who prayed for Bubs.

National Delurker Day!

So apparently January 10th was Delurker Day.  I missed it, but I am back posting to act like I didn't miss it.  Got it?  :)

I actually had been thinking about posting something like this anyway because I can see that people are visiting my blog, but I don't know who most of you are because you don't leave comments.  I know that I read lots of blogs and don't have time to comment on all of them, so I understand.  But, today I am asking you to take a little time to introduce yourself if you never have before. 

Playdates...Typical or No?

I will disclaim that this post will talk about bodily function, so if that grosses you out- put on your big girl panties or big boy chonies and suck it up...this is an important topic...for me anyway.

I know that I have written about playdates before.  My previous posts may have seemed to be more of a pity party, and maybe they were, but this is not a pity party post.  I'm actually quite upset about this.  I am upset for my friend and I am upset for her child.  Let me essplain...no, I'll sum up.

Friend {Betty} and child with Down syndrome {Jay} go to supposed Friend's house for playdate.  Betty's friend's daughter does not have Ds.  Jay is not potty trained.  Jay has a poop accident and a piece of Friend's furniture is hit.  Friend proceeds to gross out and practically cry, all while making Betty feel like her child is gross.  Betty apologizes profusely.  Instead of giving Betty a towel to lay Jay on to change his diaper and clothes, Friend provided a plastic bag. 

Ok, first off, the plastic bag thing is offensive to me.  To give your friend a plastic bag to lay her child on?!!?  Really?  Second, whether you have a child with special needs or not, did your kid NEVER have an accident?  Are you psychic and know when your kid is going to have a poop that overflows the diaper?  Do you walk around with a barf bucket for that chance that your kids might projectile vomit?  Are you always there at that exact moment your kid sneezes and shoots snot across the room?  No?  I didn't think so.  Are these things gross?  Sure.  Is the child gross because those things happen?  NO!  Is the parent irresponsible because they didn't know those things would happen?  NO!  Listen Friend, this is part of having kids.  If you can't handle bodily function from other kids, then do not invite them over for playdates and proceed to make your guests feel awful.  And, by the way Friend...Jay is not stupid.  You think that he didn't understand your insinuations that he is gross?!?!  Shame on you.  And one more thing, Friend... Betty will not be coming over anymore- you have insulted her and Jay for the last time.

Phew, ok.  Now this leads into something that I struggle with.  I am proud of Betty for having a playdate outside of the special needs circle!  That's awesome and I think it is something that we all want for our angels.  But, when things like this happen, do we retreat back into a comfort zone of only being around playdates where someone "gets it"?  Then, for those of us with kids with complex needs- even beyond the typical child with Ds, what do we do? 

Ideas?  Suggestions?

Feeling Lucky

Remember Bethany's motivating post regarding C25K with said motivation being a $100 for new running shoes and an iPod Shuffle???  Well, her daughter Payton {AKA:  Chicky} drew the winner! Take a look!  I was crying watching her because I am just so proud of her!  Watch her as she pulls the paper and so beautifully opens it to display the name back to her Mama holding the camera.  Great job, Chicky!



THANK YOU, CHICKY!!!  :)

Now, you have to watch the next video too!  Winner, take two!  This time, Addison {AKA:  Nika} did the honors.



This sleep deprived Mama is very happy today!  :)  Thanks Bethany!

Poor Bubs

On Wednesday, Scott noticed a very small blister on Ethan's left thumb.  We couldn't really figure out where it would have come from.  Did he burn it somehow?  Was he bitten by an insect/spider?  He didn't cry during the night, so it is still a mystery when this happened.  By yesterday morning, the blister had grown to cover most of his little thumb and the fluid inside had a yellowish tint.  I called the doctor and they agreed that he needed to be seen. 

When I got to school to pick Ethan up, his thumb was so red and swollen and the blister was even bigger and nastier looking.  We got to the doctor and he wanted to aspirate some of the fluid out and have it cultured.  MRSA was mentioned...again. {I am really tired of hearing that term!}  After the aspiration, his hand was completely bandaged to keep him from putting the hand in his mouth and to, hopefully, give him some time to heal.  He hated having the dressing put on, but otherwise didn't seem to be bothered by it.  We were given a prescription and told to come back today so they could check it.  {Apparently, if it is MRSA, it has a higher likelihood of spreading to the bone when it is on a finger so they wanted to see if the anitibiotics were working}

Last night. Oy vey.  Ugh.  NO sleep.  Ethan was miserable.  I gave him Tylenol to help, but it didn't seem to because this sweet boy of mine was up ALL NIGHT LONG!  Most of it crying, too.  Poor Bubs.  We couldn't comfort him for anything.  Usually, if we put him in our bed, he will go right to sleep.  Well, he wanted to, but just couldn't.  It was so pitiful.  Then, he started getting mean.  By 3am, Scott went and slept with him in Ethan's room.  So, we all got a couple hours of sleep...maybe.

Today at the checkup, the dressing was removed and the blister had refilled with fluid.  It also spread slightly, but the swelling and redness was slightly better so they decided to not redrain it.  We did a Hibicleanse soak and re-dressed it.  I did notice more blisters on his fingers, but as of right now the doctor thinks they are from friction of Ethan moving his fingers under the dressing.  When we re-dressed it, we put barriers in between each finger to help with that. 

The new dressing has a beige color to it and when he had his jacket on, it looked like he didn't have a hand!  :(  He is adjusting to only being able to use one hand though.  Smart kid. 

I have to change the dressing over the weekend and look for any changes.  The culture won't be back until this weekend and we have to go back again on Monday for another recheck.  Oh, and the doctor thinks that this came from a bite of some sort.  Fun times.

C25K, W1D2...on hold

I am so upset.  I caught a cold and it has gone bad FAST.  Can't breathe, coughing, sore throat, earache = no day 2 of C25K.  :(  I opted to do some Wii Fit Plus activities that worked my calf muscles, so I was still doing something besides sitting on the couch.  Haha.  I am still committed, though.  Don't count me out! 

C25K, W1D1

I did it.  I completed Day One of Week One.  I was completely anxious about running in the cold and then Mary told me that her apartment complex has a workout room with a treadmill.  SCORE!  I was lucky to be the only one in the room at the time.  It wasn't bad at all.  I made sure to walk for about five minutes, stop and stretch, and then get into the program.  After it was over, I spent a fair amount of time stretching some more.  I am so afraid of re-injuring my calves....

Operation C25K w/ Giveaway!

Let the insanity begin!!!  I posted a few days ago about doing the Couch to 5k Program here.  Bethany is also going to be doing C25K as well!  She has gone an extra step and offered up an awesome giveaway to motivate you!  How's $100 and an iPod Shuffle sound?  Pretty sweet, right?  I thought so too!  Just click the button above and head on over to enter the giveaway! 

So, I am geared up to start tomorrow.  My local run near St. Patrick's Day is on March 20th.  I am nervous about it being so cold.  I think it is going to be twice as hard to run in the frigid temps!  Steve at 4 Runners Only hooked me up with my new Asics GT-2150 man shoes and Balega socks.  So now I need to find an outfit to actually run in.  Guess that needs to happen today.  LOL.  Good gosh, am I really doing this!?!??!!?

Happy Birthday Zhora!!!

I am going to squeeze in a very real birthday wish for myself- I am passing along Renee's blog regarding Zhora today for our friend, Lisa.  I didn't know that Zhora shared a birthday with me, so now this little guy is even MORE special to me. 

You might remember this sweet little guy, Zhora, from this post. Today is his birthday and my friend Lisa is making a plea to raise some money for his adoption fund. As of right now he still doesn't have a family, but hopefully with money in his fund it will ease the burden of his forever family when he gets one!

Zhora is three years old today. He currently has $1870 in his grant fund. He lives in a pretty nice orphanage in Eastern Europe. But, even a "pretty nice" orphanage can not take the place of a family.....and soon, because of his age and the fact that he has Down syndrome, he will be moved to a mental institution. He'll spend the rest of his life there....UNLESS a family brings him home.

SO for Zhora's birthday, can you donate a little to his fund today? Even $5.00 will help... OR maybe, YOU are the family Zhora has been waiting for?! Don't miss this chance to make this the best birthday EVER for Zhora!

You can sponsor Zhora here. You can make a donation online or via check, just make sure you put on your donation that you want it to go to Zhora! Hopefully he'll be spending his 4th birthday in the arms of his mommy and daddy... where he belongs.